Analog tool for replaceably attaching to a low-pressure regulator and a high-pressure regulator of a paint-ball gun one-at-a-time to fine tune gas pressure of the paint-ball gun

ABSTRACT

An analog tool for replaceably attaching to a low-pressure regulator and to a high-pressure regulator of a paint-ball gun one-at-a-time to fine tune gas pressure of the paint-ball gun. The analog tool includes a tube and a pressure gauge. The tube fluidly communicates with and replaceably attaches to the low-pressure regulator and to the high-pressure regulator one-at-a-time. The pressure gauge fluidly communicates with the tube to display the gas pressure at the low-pressure regulator and at the high-pressure regulator one-at-a-time for use in fine tuning the gas pressure at and via the low-pressure regulator to allow the bolt of the paint-ball gun to move from the front of the paint-ball gun to the back of the paint-ball gun without breaking each paint-ball as each paint-ball goes through the barrel of the paint-ball gun and thereby reduce air needed to move the bolt, and for use in fine tuning the gas pressure at and via the high-pressure regulator to be within regulations.

1. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The instant non-provisional patent application claims priority from provisional patent application 60/786,215, filed on Mar. 27, 2006, entitled PRESSURE GAUGE FOR PINBALL MARKERS, and incorporated herein by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a tool for tuning gas pressure of a paint-ball gun, and more particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to an analog tool for replaceably attaching to a low-pressure regulator and a high-pressure regulator of a paint-ball gun one-at-a-time to fine tune gas pressure of the paint-ball gun.

B. Description of the Prior Art

In recent years, as the popularity of paint-ball games has grown, there has been a proliferation of different types of paint-ball guns, air guns or markers, and the devices that are used in conjunction with these markers. These new markers and related devices have been necessary due to the increased level of play as players improve and hone their skills.

The early types of markers and related devices provided an adequate level of play. The onset of more experienced players, along with challenging paint-ball gun tournaments, however, now provides an arena where better markers and peripherals are required to sufficiently compete.

Thus, there exists a need for an analog tool for replaceably attaching to a low-pressure regulator and a high-pressure regulator of a paint-ball gun one-at-a-time to fine tune gas pressure of the paint-ball gun.

Numerous innovations for paint-ball gun regulators have been provided in the prior art that will be described below, which are in chronological order to show advancement in the art, and which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they each differ in structure, and/or operation, and/or purpose from the embodiments of the present invention in that they do not teach an analog tool for replaceably attaching to a low-pressure regulator and a high-pressure regulator of a paint-ball gun one-at-a-time to fine tune gas pressure of the paint-ball gun.

(1) U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,213 to Gardner, Jr. et al

U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,213 issued to Gardner, Jr. et al. on May 26, 1998 in class 124 and subclass 73 teaches a pneumatic valve and regulator, and more particularly a pneumatic valve and regulator used in a compressed gas-powered gun system, which is designed to project a fragile liquid-containing spherical unit bursting upon impact with the intended target. The regulator possesses a pressure-balancing device, a temperature-compensating device, and relief-valve features. The temperature compensator of the temperature-compensating device is made of a synthetic compound material expanding and contracting at a rate equaling but being inverse to the rate of change caused by changes in the modulus of elasticity of a helical compression spring caused by a temperature differential. The valve possesses a seal made of pressure-activated material. The outer diameter of the seal is mechanically captured and the inner diameter of the seal is not constrained from moving into the cavity. The application of pressure initiates flow characteristics of the seal at the interface of the inner diameter of the seal and the outer diameter of the poppet. This sealing technique has inherent lubricity, is self-healing, is non-temperature sensitive, and is compatible with all noble gases used.

(2) U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,622 to Hsueh.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,622 issued to Hsueh on Feb. 19, 2002 in class 124 and subclass 49 teaches a paint-bullet gun constructed to include a gun body, a stock, a trigger, a bullet loading guide, a rear sight rack, and a carburetion chamber. The gun body is formed of an upper gun barrel and a lower barrel. The upper gun barrel has a top bullet-loading hole, a plurality of recessed holes longitudinally aligned at a top side thereof, a side slot, and a rubber stop mounted in the side slot and adapted to stop the loaded paint bullets in position. The bullet-loading guide is sleeved onto the upper gun barrel to hold the rubber stop in the side slot and has a plurality of fixing devices being respectively fastened to the recessed holes of the upper gun barrel to fix the bullet-loading guide to the upper gun barrel. The fixing devices each has a compression spring and a steel ball supported on the compression spring at a bottom side and forced by the compression spring into engagement with one recessed hole of the upper gun barrel.

(3) United States Patent Application Publication Number 2002/0046747 to Colby.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2002/0046747 published to Colby on Apr. 25, 2002 in class 124 and subclass 73 teaches a secondary stage regulator wherein a piston-type configuration is utilized to regulate an input working pressure as high as 1,200 PSI to an output delivery pressure from 50 PSI to 900 PSI. The secondary stage regulator can be used on paint-ball guns, markers, and similar devices powered by compressed gas.

(4) U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,475 to Colby.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,475 issued to Colby on Apr. 8, 2003 in class 124 and subclass 71 teaches a single stage regulator wherein a Belleville-disk spring configuration is utilized to regulate an input working pressure as high as 4,500 PSI to an output delivery pressure of about 700 to 1,000 PSI. The single stage regulator can be used on Paint-ball guns, markers, and similar devices powered by compressed gas.

(5) U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,791 to Alexander et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,791 issued to Alexander et al. on Jan. 13, 2004 in class 124 and subclass 71 teaches a pressure regulator for pneumatic guns incorporating a rotating gas fitting with a gas inlet port, modular construction to allow fitting to different pneumatic guns/air sources/configurations, better pressure output stability at pressures lower than 200 psi, and ease of maintenance. There is also a sliding, externally actuatable check valve for pneumatically isolating one pneumatic component of the paint-ball gun from another pneumatic component.

(6) U.S. Pat. No. 6,959,703 to Spurlock et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,959,703 issued to Spurlock et al. on Nov. 1, 2005 in class 124 and subclass 74 teaches a paint-ball gun throttle-regulator device including a body, an adjusting bolt, an elastic element, an adjusting piston, and a cocking. The body includes a piston chamber, an air chamber next to the piston chamber, and a connecting chamber. The piston chamber and the connecting chamber are formed with threads inside and include air release holes, respectively. The air chamber is interconnected with the connecting chamber by through holes. The air chamber includes an air outlet. The adjusting bolt is threadedly connected to the piston chamber with one end engaging with one end of the elastic element, which has another end engaged with one end of the adjusting piston. The adjusting piston is slid into the piston chamber. The adjusting piston has another end secured with one end of the cocking. The cocking has another end extending through the piston chamber and the air chamber and into the connecting chamber.

It is apparent that numerous innovations for paint-ball gun regulators have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the embodiments of the present invention as heretofore described, namely, an analog tool for replaceably attaching to a low-pressure regulator and a high-pressure regulator of a paint-ball gun one-at-a-time to fine tune gas pressure of the paint-ball gun.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, an object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an analog tool for replaceably attaching to a low-pressure regulator and a high-pressure regulator of a paint-ball gun one-at-a-time to fine tune gas pressure of the paint-ball gun, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

Briefly stated, another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an analog tool for replaceably attaching to a low-pressure regulator and to a high-pressure regulator of a paint-ball gun one-at-a-time to fine tune gas pressure of the paint-ball gun. The analog tool includes a tube and a pressure gauge. The tube fluidly communicates with and replaceably attaches to the low-pressure regulator and to the high-pressure regulator one-at-a-time. The pressure gauge fluidly communicates with the tube to display the gas pressure at the low-pressure regulator and at the high-pressure regulator one-at-a-time for use in fine tuning the gas pressure at and via the low-pressure regulator to allow the bolt of the paint-ball gun to move from the front of the paint-ball gun to the back of the paint-ball gun without breaking each paint-ball as each paint-ball goes through the barrel of the paint-ball gun and thereby reduce air needed to move the bolt, and for use in fine tuning the gas pressure at and via the high-pressure regulator to be within regulations.

The novel features considered characteristic of the embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the present invention themselves, however, both as to their construction and their method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the analog tool of the embodiments of the present invention replaceably attached to the low-pressure regulator of a paint-ball gun fine tuning gas pressure of the paint-ball gun;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the analog tool of the embodiments of the present invention replaceably attached to the high-pressure regulator of a paint-ball gun fine tuning gas pressure of the paint-ball gun;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW 3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW 4 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged diagrammatic front elevational view of the analog tool of the embodiments of the present invention identified by ARROW 5 in FIGS. 3 and 4.

5. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING

A. General.

-   10 analog tool of embodiments of present invention for replaceably     attaching to low-pressure regulator 12 and high-pressure regulator     14 of paint-ball gun 16 one-at-a-time to fine tune gas pressure of     paint-ball gun 16 -   12 low-pressure regulator of paint-ball gun 16 -   14 high-pressure regulator of paint-ball gun 16 -   16 paint-ball gun -   18 port of low-pressure regulator 12 of paint-ball gun 16 -   20 port of high-pressure regulator 14 of paint-ball gun 16 -   22 bolt of paint-ball gun 16 -   24 front of paint-ball gun 16 -   26 back of paint-ball gun 16 -   28 at least one paint-ball of paint-ball gun 16 -   30 barrel of paint-ball gun 16     B. Overall Configuration of Analog Tool 10. -   32 tube for fluidly communicating with and replaceably attaching to     port 18 of low-pressure regulator 12 of paint-ball gun 16 and to     port 20 of high-pressure regulator 14 of paint-ball gun 16     one-at-a-time. -   34 pressure gauge for displaying gas pressure at port 18 of     low-pressure regulator 12 of paint-ball gun 16 and at port 20 of     high-pressure regulator 14 of paint-ball gun 16 one-at-a-time for     use in fine tuning gas pressure at and via low-pressure regulator 12     of paint-ball gun 16 to allow bolt 22 of paint-ball gun 16 to move     from front 24 of paint-ball gun 16 to back 26 of paint-ball gun 16     without breaking each paint-ball 28 as each paint-ball 28 goes     through barrel 30 of paint-ball gun 16 and thereby reduce air needed     to move bolt 22 of paint-ball gun 16, and for use in fine tuning gas     pressure at and via high-pressure regulator 14 of paint-ball gun 16     to be within regulations -   36 first apparatus for fluidly communicating with and replaceably     attaching tube 32 to low-pressure regulator 12 of paint-ball gun 16     and to high-pressure regulator 14 of paint-ball gun 16 one-at-a-time -   38 distal end of tube 32 -   40 second apparatus for fluidly communicating tube 32 with pressure     gauge 34 -   42 proximal end of tube 32 -   44 third apparatus for releasing back pressure at pressure gauge 34 -   46 quick-disconnect coupling of first apparatus 36 for allowing     quick attaching and detaching tube 32 to/from low-pressure regulator     12 of paint-ball gun 16 and to high-pressure regulator 14 of     paint-ball gun 16 one-at-a-time -   48 push-button bleed valve of third apparatus 46 -   50 manifold of second apparatus 40

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A. General.

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, which are, respectively, a diagrammatic side elevational view of the analog tool of the embodiments of the present invention replaceably attached to the low-pressure regulator of a paint-ball gun fine tuning gas pressure of the paint-ball gun, and a diagrammatic side elevational view of the analog tool of the embodiments of the present invention replaceably attached to the high-pressure regulator of a paint-ball gun fine tuning gas pressure of the paint-ball gun, the analog tool of the embodiments of the present invention is shown generally at 10 for replaceably attaching to a low-pressure regulator 12 (FIG. 1) and a high-pressure regulator 14 (FIG. 2) of a paint-ball gun 16 one-at-a-time to fine tune gas pressure of the paint-ball gun 16.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which are, respectively, an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW 3 in FIG. 1, and an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW 4 in FIG. 2, the low-pressure regulator 12 of the paint-ball gun 16 has a port 18 with which the analog tool 10 fluidly communicates (FIG. 3) and the high-pressure regulator 14 of the paint-ball gun 16 has a port 20 with which the analog tool 10 fluidly communicates (FIG. 4). The paint-ball gun 16 has a bolt 22, a front 24, a back 26, at least one paint-ball 28, and a barrel 30.

B. The Overall Configuration of the Analog Tool 10.

The overall configuration of the analog tool 10 can best be seen in FIG. 5, which is an enlarged diagrammatic front elevational view of the analog tool of the embodiments of the present invention identified by ARROW 5 in FIGS. 3 and 4, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The analog tool 10 comprises a tube 32 and a pressure gauge 34. The tube 32 is for fluidly communicating with and replaceably attaching to the port 18 of the low-pressure regulator 12 of the paint-ball gun 16 (FIG. 3) and to the port 20 of the high-pressure regulator 14 of the paint-ball gun 16 (FIG. 4) one-at-a-time. The pressure gauge 34 fluidly communicates with the tube 32 for displaying the gas pressure at the port 18 of the low-pressure regulator 12 of the paint-ball gun 16 (FIG. 3) and at the port 20 of the high-pressure regulator 14 of the paint-ball gun 16 (FIG. 3) one-at-a-time for use in fine tuning the gas pressure at and via the low-pressure regulator 12 of the paint-ball gun 16 to allow the bolt 22 of the paint-ball gun 16 to move from the front 24 of the paint-ball gun 16 to the back 26 of the paint-ball gun 16 without breaking each paint-ball 28 as each paint-ball 28 goes through the barrel 30 of the paint-ball gun 16 and thereby reduce air needed to move the bolt 22 of the paint-ball gun 16 (FIG. 3), and for use in fine tuning the gas pressure at and via the high-pressure regulator 14 of the paint-ball gun 16 to be within regulations (FIG. 4).

The pressure gauge 24 is preferably analog.

The analog tool 10 further comprises a first apparatus 36 for fluidly communicating with and replaceably attaching the tube 32 to the low-pressure regulator 12 of the paint-ball gun 16 (FIG. 3) and to the high-pressure regulator 14 of the paint-ball gun 16 (FIG. 4) one-at-a-time.

The tube 32 has a distal end 38. The first apparatus 36 is at the distal end 38 of the tube 32.

The analog tool 10 further comprises a second apparatus 40 for fluidly communicating the tube 32 with the pressure gauge 34.

The tube 32 further has a proximal end 42. The second apparatus 40 is at the proximal end 42 of the tube 32.

The analog tool 10 further comprises a third apparatus 44 for releasing back pressure at the pressure gauge 34. The third apparatus 44 is operatively connected to the second apparatus 40.

The first apparatus 36 is a quick-disconnect coupling 46. The quick-disconnect coupling 46 of the first apparatus 36 is for allowing quick attaching and detaching the tube 32 to/from the low-pressure regulator 12 of the paint-ball gun 16 (FIG. 3) and to the high-pressure regulator 14 of the paint-ball gun 16 (FIG. 4) one-at-a-time.

The third apparatus 46 is a push-button bleed valve 48.

The second apparatus 40 is a manifold 50. The manifold 50 of the second apparatus 40 fluidly communicates the tube 32, the pressure gauge 34, and the push-button bleed valve 48 with each other.

C. The Conclusions

It will be understood that each of the elements described above or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described as embodied in am analog tool for replaceably attaching to a low-pressure regulator and a high-pressure regulator of a paint-ball gun one-at-a-time to fine tune gas pressure of the paint-ball gun, however, they are not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the present invention.

Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention. 

1. An analog tool for replaceably attaching to a low-pressure regulator and a high-pressure regulator of a paint-ball gun one-at-a-time to fine tune gas pressure of the paint-ball gun, wherein the paint-ball gun has a bolt, a front, a back, at least one paint-ball, and a barrel, said tool comprising: a) a tube; and b) a pressure gauge; wherein said tube is for fluidly communicating with and replaceably attaching to the low-pressure regulator of the paint-ball gun and to the high-pressure regulator of the paint-ball gun one-at-a-time; and wherein said pressure gauge fluidly communicates with said tube for displaying the gas pressure at the low-pressure regulator of the paint-ball gun and at the high-pressure regulator of the paint-ball gun one-at-a-time for use in fine tuning the gas pressure at and via the low-pressure regulator of the paint-ball gun to allow the bolt of the paint-ball gun to move from the front of the paint-ball gun to the back of the paint-ball gun without breaking each paint-ball as each paint-ball goes through the barrel of the paint-ball gun and thereby reduce air needed to move the bolt of the paint-ball gun, and for use in fine tuning the gas pressure at and via the high-pressure regulator of the paint-ball gun to be within regulations.
 2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the low-pressure regulator of the paint-ball gun has a port; wherein said analog tool is for fluidly communicating with the port of the low-pressure regulator of the paint-ball gun; wherein the high-pressure regulator of the paint-ball gun has a port; and wherein said analog tool is for fluidly communicating with the port of the high-pressure regulator of the paint-ball gun.
 3. The tool of claim 1, wherein said pressure gauge is analog.
 4. The tool of claim 1, further comprising first means for fluidly communicating with and replaceably attaching said tube to the low-pressure regulator of the paint-ball gun and to the high-pressure regulator of the paint-ball gun one-at-a-time.
 5. The tool of claim 4, wherein said tube has a distal end; and wherein said first means is at said distal end of said tube.
 6. The tool of claim 1, further comprising second means for fluidly communicating said tube with said pressure gauge.
 7. The tool of claim 6, wherein said tube has a proximal end; and wherein said second apparatus is at said proximal end of said tube.
 8. The tool of claim 6, further comprising third means for releasing back pressure at said pressure gauge; and wherein said third apparatus is operatively connected to said second apparatus.
 9. The tool of claim 4, wherein said first apparatus includes a quick-disconnect coupling; and wherein said quick-disconnect coupling of said first means is for allowing quick attaching and detaching said tube to/from the low-pressure regulator of the paint-ball gun and to the high-pressure regulator of the paint-ball gun one-at-a-time.
 10. The tool of claim 8, wherein said third means includes a push-button bleed valve.
 11. The tool of claim 10, wherein said second means includes a manifold.
 12. The tool of claim 1 1, wherein said manifold of said second means fluidly communicates said tube, said pressure gauge, and said push-button bleed valve of said third means with each other. 